Ever wondered why your computer feels slower than usual or why your battery drains so quickly? The culprit might be background apps. These are programs that continue to run even when you’re not actively using them. Knowing how to check which apps are running in the background on Windows 11 can save you time, improve performance, and extend your battery life.
In this step-by-step guide, I’ll show you several ways to identify and manage background apps in Windows 11.
Why Do Background Apps Run in Windows 11?
Before we jump into the steps, let’s quickly talk about why apps keep running behind the scenes:
- Notifications – Messaging apps, email clients, and reminders need to stay active to notify you.
- Updates & Syncing – Apps like OneDrive or Dropbox constantly sync your files.
- Performance Monitoring – Antivirus or performance tools track system health in the background.
While some are useful, many aren’t necessary and just hog system resources.
Method 1: See Background Apps Using Task Manager
Task Manager is the quickest way to find all running apps and processes.
Step 1: Open Task Manager
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc (or right-click the taskbar and select Task Manager).
Step 2: Check the Processes Tab
- Under Processes, you’ll see two sections:
- Apps – Programs currently open.
- Background processes – Programs running silently.
Step 3: End Unnecessary Apps
- Right-click on a background app and choose End Task if you don’t need it.
Method 2: Check Background Apps from Settings
Windows 11 lets you control background activity through its Settings.
Step 1: Open Settings
- Press Windows + I to open Settings.
Step 2: Go to Apps
- Navigate to Apps > Apps & features.
Step 3: Manage Background Permissions
- Click on the app you want, then select Advanced options.
- Under Background app permissions, choose:
- Always
- Power optimized (recommended)
- Never
Method 3: See Background Apps with System Tray
The system tray (bottom-right corner near the clock) shows many apps running in the background.
- Click the arrow icon (^) in the taskbar.
- Hover over icons to identify apps running silently.
- Right-click an icon to close or manage it.
Method 4: Use Startup Apps to Control Background Activity
Some apps launch automatically when you start Windows, which means they run in the background all the time.
Step 1: Open Task Manager
- Go to the Startup apps tab.
Step 2: Disable Unnecessary Apps
- Right-click and select Disable for apps you don’t need at startup.
Method 5: Check Resource Usage with Resource Monitor
If you want more detail, Resource Monitor gives you a deeper look.
Step 1: Open Resource Monitor
- Press Windows + R, type
resmon, and hit Enter.
Step 2: Check CPU, Memory, Disk, and Network
- Each tab shows which apps and processes are actively using system resources.
Method 6: See Background Apps Using Power & Battery Settings
For laptops, Windows 11 provides insights into which apps drain the most power.
Step 1: Open Battery Settings
- Go to Settings > System > Power & battery.
Step 2: Check Battery Usage
- Scroll to Battery usage.
- You’ll see a list of apps consuming power in the background.
Method 7: Check Services Running in the Background
Some apps run as services instead of regular programs.
Step 1: Open Services
- Press Windows + R, type
services.msc, and hit Enter.
Step 2: Browse Running Services
- Scroll through the list to see active services.
- Right-click and stop any non-essential services (be careful not to disable critical system services).
Why You Should Manage Background Apps
- Improves performance – Frees up RAM and CPU.
- Saves battery life – Crucial for laptop users.
- Reduces internet usage – Background sync and updates won’t eat your data.
Tips for Managing Background Apps Safely
- Don’t disable antivirus, Windows security, or essential drivers.
- Disable only apps you recognize and don’t need constantly.
- Use Power optimized mode instead of turning off apps completely if you’re unsure.
Conclusion
Knowing how to see what apps are running in the background in Windows 11 gives you more control over your PC’s performance. From Task Manager to Battery usage reports, Windows provides multiple tools to check and manage apps. By turning off unnecessary background apps, you can boost speed, save battery, and make your system run smoother than ever.
FAQs
1. How do I stop all background apps at once in Windows 11?
Windows 11 doesn’t have a single switch for all apps, but you can manage them individually in Settings or disable them from Startup.
2. Will stopping background apps improve gaming performance?
Yes. Freeing up RAM and CPU helps games run smoother and reduces lag.
3. Can I disable Microsoft Store apps from running in the background?
Yes, go to Settings > Apps > Apps & features > Advanced options, then change background permissions.
4. Is it safe to disable all startup apps?
Not all. Leave security tools, drivers, and essential services enabled. Disable only apps you don’t use daily.
5. What’s the difference between “End Task” and “Disable at Startup”?
- End Task stops the app temporarily until you open it again.
- Disable at Startup prevents it from launching automatically when Windows starts.